Network connectivity for a portable patient monitor

Abstract

A monitor system for acquiring medical data from a patient is distributed over at least two geographically separate patient monitoring areas and interconnected via a communication network. A portable monitor (102) coupled to a patient receives and processes patient data signals from a sensor coupled to the patient. At least two patient monitor docking stations (111) are provided, each one of which is selectively coupled to the portable monitor and connected for transmission of patient data received from the portable patient monitor to the communication network. Each docking station comprises a coupler for detachably coupling the portable monitor to the docking station, a signal transfer device (108) for transferring patient-related data signals between the portable monitor and the docking station when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station, and a signal processor for monitoring the patient-related data signals provided by the signal transfer device for developing a connection information signal when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station, the connection information signal being applied for developing an alarm in the event that the signal processor monitors that the portable monitor is not operating correctly.

I claim: 
     
       1. A monitor system for acquiring medical data from at least one sensor adapted for attachment to a patient, comprising; a communication network connecting at least two geographically separate patient monitoring areas;   a portable monitor adopted for coupling to the sensor for receiving and processing patient data signals from the sensor when the sensor is attached to the patient; and   at least two patient monitor docking stations adapted to be selectively coupled to said portable monitor, with at least one docking station being located in each of the at least two geographically separate patient monitoring areas that are interconnected via said communication network, and connected for transmission of patient data received from the portable monitor to said communication network; wherein   each docking station comprises: coupling means for detachably coupling the portable monitor to the docking station;   signal transfer means for transferring patient-related data signals between the portable monitor and the docking station when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station; and   signal processing means for monitoring the patient-related data signals provided by the signal transfer means for developing a connection information signal when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station, said connection information signal being applied for developing an alarm in the event that said signal processing means monitors that said portable monitor is not operating correctly.     
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein said connection information signal is applied to said communication network for developing said alarm at a geographic area which is separate from an area where said portable monitor is located. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2, wherein the geographic area separate from the area where said portable monitor is located includes a central monitor coupled to said network so as to receive patient-related data signals and a connection information signal from each of a plurality of portable monitors. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal processing means comprises a central processing unit for monitoring the patient-related data signals for predetermined signal conditions indicative of normal operation of the portable monitor, and if said predetermined conditions are not monitored, developing said connection information signal, which is then applied to said communication network to indicate an alarm. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 4, wherein said central processing unit includes means for periodically transmitting said connection information signal to said network. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises first and second separate housings, with the coupling means and signal transferring means of the docking station being located in the first housing, and the signal processing means being located in the second housing. 
     
     
       7. A method for operating a monitor system for acquiring medical data from at least one sensor adapted for attachment to a patient, said system being distributed over at least two geographically separate patient monitoring areas and interconnected via a communication network, comprising the following steps: receiving and processing patient data signals acquired from a patient by a portable monitor;   selectively coupling the portable monitor to one of at least two patient monitor docking stations, with at least one docking station being located in each of said at least two patient monitoring areas, and connected for transmission of patient data received from the portable patient monitor to said communication network;   transferring patient-related data signals between the portable monitor and the docking station when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station;   monitoring the patient-related data signals transferred between the portable monitor and the docking station and developing a connection information signal when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station; and   developing an alarm in the event that said connection information signal indicates that said portable monitor is not operating correctly.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7, wherein said monitoring step applies said connection information signal to said network for developing said alarm at a geographic area which is separate from an area where said portable monitor is located. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7, wherein said monitoring step comprises monitoring the patient-related data signal for predetermined signal conditions indicative of normal operation of the portable monitor, and if said predetermined conditions are not monitored, causing said connection information signal which is applied to said communication network to indicate an alarm. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, wherein said monitoring step periodically transmits said connection information signal to said communication network. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 7, wherein said receiving step, selectively coupling step and said transferring step are all performed in a first housing of said docking station, and wherein said monitoring step is performed in a second housing of said docking station which is remote from said first housing.